wonder if my Ampeg Scrambler build is working correctly...

[plexi12000]

hi dudes-  i built a scrambler cuz the 'descriptions' of it i read sounded pretty cool.

i sourced the "correct" transisitrs.  It "works" and everything. all my voltages are good. according to the info i have.

but, it's just kinda lame.  i was expecting some crazy funky stuff!  lol

Is this just "what it is"? Or did the clown holding the solder iron do something wrong again? hahahah

thanks-

[Mark Hammer]

The Scrambler does NOT sound polite or kind.  More importantly, it does not have any way to adjust the sensitivity of the pedal to adapt to different pickups or picking styles.  So, it may sound overly harsh if you feed it too hot a signal (it can even "implode" if fed a super hot signal), or sound kind of crippled and glitch if you feed it too weak a signal.

Myself, I build them into the same box as a modified version of the DOD250/MXR Dist+.  I roll off some top end, and add more bottom.  The gain on the distortion circuit kind of sets how long the octave is produced for, and the volume/output control serves to control the sensitivity of the Scrambler.  That combo ends up getting me a much wider range of sounds.  A person could simply stick another overdrive pedal just ahead of the Scrambler and accomplish the same thing.  But it's simply more convenient to be able to turn both on and off with one switch.

[plexi12000]

Mark-  so it sounds like you are getting "distortion" from it?  I can crank mine all up...but it's hardly impressive.  the distortion i'm getting is pretty weak...kinda hollow. 

wonder if i shoulld audition different transistors? 

[Mark Hammer]

Perfed, vero,or PCB?

[blackieNYC]

Mark turned me on to the scrambler. I put a drive in front of it too, and then a pickup sim using half a transformer, so I could boost the input for more sustain on higher notes, and the pickup sim rolls off the treble like you should be doing on the guitar (right?.Bridge pup, treble all the way off? Essential, you probably know)
Stock, you should get a pronounced octave ,and pretty fierce IM distortion when you play or bend (!)two or more notes. A low freq thing.
If you don't have a mistake, and you probably do but maybe not, do put an overdrive pedal of some sort with the treble rolled off. If that doesn't get you there, something is wrong.

[garcho]

i was expecting some crazy funky stuff

the name "scrambler" brings to mind a cooler effect than this ends up being IMO. i think having non-jelly bean semiconductors makes it seem like it could be more interesting than it really is but it's just a kinda harsh oddball distortion, nothing you haven't heard before.